Parks and Things to Do With Kids in Chichester

Which parks are there in Chichester?

Chichester District Council's parks page lists Amphitheatre Park, Florence Park, Oaklands Park, Parklands Green, Priory Park and Whyke Oval Green, and a form to report a problem in a park. The council's pages for three of them describe the following.

Priory Park

Priory Park, on Priory Road, PO19 1LA, is in the north east corner of the walled city centre. According to the council's Priory Park page, it has public toilets, a cafe, a water fountain, a defibrillator, a sensory garden and picnic tables, and a play area suitable for all ages. The play equipment listed includes a zip line, an inclusive roundabout, seesaw, swings and trampoline, toddler and junior multi play units, a basket swing and a rotating balance beam. The park also has a Roman walls walk, the remains of the Norman motte, the Guildhall, a cricket pitch, a bowls green and a junior park run. The council says no dogs and no cycling are allowed in the park.

Oaklands Park

Oaklands Park, on Broyle Road, PO19 6AP, is at the northern end of the city next to Chichester Festival Theatre. The council's Oaklands Park page lists a large fenced woodland themed play area with a zip line, an agility trail, an inclusive roundabout and swings, public tennis courts, a wildlife area, a community orchard and garden, picnic tables, and public toilets in the nearby Northgate car park. It lists a cafe at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Florence Park

Florence Park, on Florence Road, PO19 7PX, is to the east of the city centre. The council page lists free parking up to 3 hours, a picnic area, a cafe kiosk, public toilets next to the kiosk, a defibrillator, a play area, a football pitch, a walking and scooting track, an outdoor fitness trail, a multi use games area and climbing boulders. Dogs are welcome in the park but not in the play area.

What can we do on a wet day or at the weekend?

- The Novium Museum, on Tower Street, is run by the district council. The council's events listing describes a free exhibition, Made in Chichester District, running until 1 April 2027 with family friendly hands on displays for children. The council's tourism page publishes the Novium's opening times: closed Mondays, Tuesday to Friday 10:00 to 16:30, Saturday 10:00 to 17:00, and Sunday 10:00 to 16:00 from mid June to mid September, and closed on Sundays from mid September to mid June, with bank holidays 10:00 to 16:00.
- Leisure centres: the council's leisure and culture page says The Bourne, Chichester and Grange leisure centres offer fitness programmes, swimming pools and classes.
- Fishbourne Roman Palace and Gardens, on Roman Way, PO19 3QR, is run by Sussex Past. Its official page says it welcomes children with interactive exhibits, artefact handling and educational trails, and gives opening times and prices which change through the year, so check it before you go. It also states free car parking.
- Chichester Canal, run by the Chichester Ship Canal Trust, has a 4 mile towpath for walking and cycling, a cafe, scheduled boat trips, and wildlife watching. Its attractions page lists free car parking and the cafe at the Canal Basin.

Is there a children's event coming up?

Listings change often. At the time of writing, the council's events page includes a free, ticketed family show, MakeBeth, aimed at ages 5 to 11 at the Guildhall in Priory Park on Sunday 4 October 2026. Check the events listing for what is on now. Our markets and events guide has more.

What about toilets, parking and getting there?

The park pages above list toilets and nearby car parks, and the district council's car parks page covers charges. Our parking guide explains how to pay. For Fishbourne Roman Palace by train, see our stations guide.

How do I report a problem in a park?

Use the council's report a problem within a park or green space form, linked from its parks page. For other problems, see our report a problem guide.